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Twin Mendocino Fires Flare Up, Burn Homes

Firefighters' and residents' worst fears were realized late Tuesday when one of the twin fires in the Mendocino Complex flared up and quickly spread to area homes in Lakeport. Jodi Hernandez reports. (Published Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018)

What to Know

Two wildfires straddling Mendocino and Lake counties threaten more than 12,000 structures

The Carr fire near Redding has wiped out nearly 900 homes and killed six people

The Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park has left eight firefighters hurt and two dead

Firefighters reported progress Tuesday in their battle against the wildfires that have ravaged some of Northern California's most scenic areas, including twin blazes that were tearing through vineyards and brush-covered hills and threatening more than 12,000 structures.

The River and Ranch fires straddling Mendocino and Lake counties had burned 10 structures along 125 square miles of rural land and were 12 percent contained as of Tuesday evening. Fire crews were able to slow the spread of one of the blazes into populated areas and instead the flames pushed into the Mendocino National Forest.

Some Return Home as Evacuations Are Lifted in Carr Fire

Through all the damage and fear caused by the Carr Fire, some families returned to their homes Tuesday night as evacuation orders were lifted for the first time in the Redding area. Cheryl Hurd reports.

(Published Tuesday, July 31, 2018)

"Just because you see a big column (of smoke) standing up every day does not mean we're not having some success in the fire line," Cal Fire Battalion Chief John Messina told a community meeting in Lake County.

He urged people to stay vigilant because fires can easily jump over containment lines.

Evacuation orders were in effect for the 4,700-resident town of Lakeport, along with some smaller communities and a section of the national forest. In all, some 19,000 people have been warned to flee, fire officials said.

Lakeport, north of San Francisco, is the county seat and a popular destination for bass anglers and boaters on the shores of Clear Lake. But by Monday night it was a ghost town, the main streets deserted.

A few miles away, embers, ash and smoke swirled through vineyards where at least one home had gone up in flames. Firefighters set blazes at the bottom of hills to burn up the tinder-dry brush before flames cresting the ridge tops could feed on it and surge downhill. A fleet of aircraft made continuous water and fire retardant drops, filling the air with the roar of their engines.

Derick Hughes II remained behind at his property in Nice, California, where he ran sprinklers on his roof and removed yard plants that could catch fire.

The 32-year-old Marine Corps veteran sent his wife and two daughters to safety along with three carloads of belongings. But he said he had too much at stake to leave himself. He bought his three-bedroom house last year using a loan from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"This is everything I bled for, and I've worked really hard to get to where I am, and I'm just not willing to give it up so easily," he said over the phone. "Some people may think that's selfish of me, and I have insurance. But the way things go, I'd rather not start over."

About 100 miles north, the Carr Fire has burned more than 965 homes and killed six people in and around Redding.

On Tuesday, Cal Fire identified the private dozer operator who died while battling the blaze last week as Don Smith. The agency said Smith "was dedicated to helping serve the people of California as a Cal Fire contracted dozer operator."

More than 27,000 people remained evacuated from their homes, although another 10,000 were allowed to return Monday as fire crews reinforced lines on the fire's western edge. The fire was 30 percent contained.

Those fires were among 15 large blazes burning across the state, where fire crews were stretched to the limit.

Fire crews also have battled numerous small brush fires this summer, most charring only a few acres but still threatening homes in built-up areas along parched foothills. A 10-acre fire damaged 13 homes and apartments Monday in Santa Clarita, northwest of Los Angeles, county fire officials said.

McLean said there was no guarantee of safety in a state that has been ravaged by years of drought, turning trees and brush to tinder.

"Anything could happen anywhere. That's the nature of the beast for all of these fires," he said. "The vegetation is so dry all it takes is a spark to get it going."

Burning for more than two weeks, the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park has charred at least 90 square miles and is 33 percent contained. Eight firefighters have suffered injuries battling the blaze. Two firefighters have died.